Reviews

Good experience working with Ted. He was very knowledgeable and so helpful to us working on my mother's estate. Ted is very easy to talk to, explains everything and went out of his way for us. I would highly recommend this law firm and Ted Brown.

What We Didn't Know Life's Work-Estate Planning=Disaster Sixty three months ago my 82 year old mother-in-law ask if I would attend a meeting with an attorney who was going to introduce her and her husband to some kind of elder law estate planning. She has spent the last 45 years working to pay for the renovation of her childhood home. During the one hour ride to Centerburg she wanted me to school her on questions to ask. I gave her just one, "what are the benefits to and estate plan and why should I do it"? Let the attorney fill in the blanks and ask questions as they arise. Sixty-three months later, I can say without question the hour we spent that day was the most important event in this family's history. Wow, you might ask why I would say that, because of WHAT WE DIDN'T KNOW. WE DIDN'T KNOW THE FUTURE or what was in it, WE DIDN'T KNOW that doing nothing was putting three generations of work at risk. At the end of that meeting I firmly insisted that they allow the attorney to take charge of mapping out their financial future. The list of land mines that appeared to be in their future was now in the hands of a highly skilled professional, Keith Stevens. Over the nest several weeks we provided him with a portfolio of information on assets, income, and military service. It was a challenge to putt everything he needed together because WE DIDN'T KNOW, you get the picture. We went back a month later to review the plan he mapped out for our family. The largest asset and the greatest risk was the third generation farm that he put into a trust. He also setup a second called the family trust which could be used for day to day activities. WHAT WE DIDN'T KNOW until he explained it was the administration of each trust and the risk of violating terms and condition of those requirements. Four years later it was apparent that my father-in-law was in failing health and was going to need assistance. WHAT WE DIDN'T KNOW, until Keith explained it, was a benefit called Aid and Attendance was available for my father-in-law because he was a Korean War veteran. We provided Keith with the necessary paperwork and he developed the strategy of how to frame up the Aid and Attendance request. A month later the VA approved the request with back benefits over $10,000. The following month my father-in-law started receiving and additional $1,700 a month until his death three weeks ago. That benefit allowed my wife and I to move him and my mother-in-law into a basement apartment we built 17 years ago hoping it would never be needed. WHAT WE DIDN'T KNOW was having the opportunity to take care of him at home in his final year would be priceless. Last week we met with Keith to review the trust and discuss mu mother-in-law's declining health. WHAT WE DIDN'T KNOW, until Keith explained, was that she may qualify for spousal Aid and Attendance. Keith is developing the plan and how to approach the VA to give us the best chance for benefit approval. WHAT WE DIDN'T KNOW, until Keith explained it, was the greatest asset has to be in the trust for 60 months to be fully protected. In our case, the Aid and attendance money we received that allowed us to care for my father-in-law instead of going in a nursing home avoided that loss. A year in a nursing home would have cost between $75,000 and $100,000 depending on the level of care that would have been required. WHAT WE DID'T KNOW 63 months ago was what the future was going to hold for our family and what doing nothing would cost. Today WE KNOW; the farm that 3 generations worked to preserve would be gone. I can't write the final chapter of our family's story because I have no way of knowing the future. What I fill very confident in predicting is Keith Stevens will continue to put our minds at ease in regards to our financial future. If your reading this what does the future hold for your family? Only God can answer that question and that is why the meeting we had with Keith 63 months ago is the most important financial event in our family's history. Robert R. Mc Daniel

My husband and I first heard a presentation on Estate Planning about 5 years ago. We decided to go with Cooper, Adel & Associates because of their excellent plan. Their service did not end there. We have a review every year and Mr. Julian Guilfoyle has given us excellent financial advise. Since we went with their long term plan, we have not had to pay any further fees for these services. For a competitive fee, we have included their tax service for the last two years. We highly recommend getting your taxes done here. Recently our grandson wanted to shadow a financial advisor. We immediately thought of Mr. Guilfoyle. Our grandson received a great time that was informative, educational and fun. Thank you to all of the staff at Cooper, Adel & Associates that have helped us in the past and that will help us in the future.

Attended a Cooper, Adel & Associates workshop and immediately scheduled a meeting to discuss our financial plan. They are very professional along with exceptional customer service. I highly recommend all of their services.

When my father recently passed away I worked with Keith Stevens to ensure the trust my parents had established was carried out to meet their desires. Keith was very helpful in explaining the different sections of the trust and what options each section/article allowed or didn't allow. During the stressful time of my fathers death it was great to have someone that walked me through the required steps of the trust. Keith even worked with my financial planner during this time to ensure the appropriate decisions were able to be implemented. My wife and I were very pleased with all of Keith's assistance and professionalism.

I am extremely satisfied with the services of Cooper, Adel and Associates. I am an attorney and I realize that most general practice attorneys try to help their clients in anyway that they can. It wasn’t until I met with Mr. Adel that I truly appreciated what working with an Elder Law Specialist means to a family. As one can imagine, being an attorney myself, I wanted to sit in the planning sessions with my parents so I could help them understand what was going to happen. Nothing made my mom happier than when Mr. Adel suggested I sit in on all the meetings. At the end, I felt comfortable that we were hiring the right firm. Truth is, I didn’t even have to be there, Mr. Adel was able to explain complex legal strategies in an easy to understand format. I would recommend his firm to anyone who needs assistance with estate planning and/or nursing home planning.

Received a timely response. Lindsey answered all my questions, including the one's I didn't know to ask.

Cooper, Adel, Vu & Associates are wonderful. They provide services to set up your family trust. All areas are covered to protect your money for your children and grandchildren. They explain everything as they go through step by step. I am a second generation to have a family trust. When my father passed away, the process to settle the estate was seamless for my siblings and myself. No matter the size of your inheritance for your children, it is comforting that they know your wishes. It is the best thing I have done. I am grateful to have become a member of their services. Maggie Collins

Our experience was totally wonderful. I certainly hadn’t planned on being back in their offices so soon, but Covid took my loving, healthy, cautious husband. I praise God that Cooper, Adel guided us through all the important decisions together and made my current plans so easy! Everyone in the office is kind and caring and so helpful.

1st meeting with staff was a great experience, looking forward to the next appt.

They never returned my phone call.